MPs question expenses' accuracy

Sunday 14 January 2007 00:02 BST

MPs have questioned the accuracy of accounts of their travel expenses published after a two-year freedom of information campaign.

Total travel expenses for 2005/06 were around £4.5 million, including almost £2 million on car mileage, about £1.5 million on trains, around £1 million on flights and more than £45,000 on taxi fares and hire cars.

The numbers were released to Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker after he won a two-year battle with Commons authorities which began in January 2005.

Parliamentary officials claimed publishing would constitute a release of personal information about MPs but were overruled last week by the Information Tribunal.

The figures broke down for the first time what each MP claimed back for travel by car, plane, taxi and train. But Tory MP Richard Bacon said he had referred the accounting methods used to compile the statistics to the National Audit Office (NAO).

The South Norfolk MP claimed his £5,685 published figure was "ludicrous".

"I have not claimed £5,685 for taxis or anything near this figure," he said. "My estimate is that I have spent a few hundred pounds on taxis over the last six years since I was first elected. Nor have I hired a car in the last 12 months. The figures also state, wrongly, that I have claimed no petrol allowance for mileage, which I certainly have done."

He said he had asked the National Audit Office to examine the methods adopted for recording MPs' expenses, which appeared to be "deeply flawed".

"I applaud Norman Baker's efforts to secure greater disclosure. I would also like any published figures to be accurate."

Labour MP Eric Joyce, who had the highest expenses claim, said he didn't think the figures were "feasible".